Hawera Notes and Echoes.

Opunake Times, Volume VII, Issue 339, 7 December 1897, Page 2

Hawera Notes and Echoes.

The Mayor, Mr H. W. Sutton, made his valedictory addressed last night. Referring to the financial position he states that at the close of the present financial year the borough would be practically free from debt, whereas, when he became Mayor, he found that on Slst March last, the council had a debit balance of £691.

The new councillor (Mr Paterson) who took his seat for the first time last evening, has given notice to move at the next meeting that the resolutions passed on October 14, by which the council adopted Mr Fulton’s Tawhiti water scheme, with drainage, be rescinded- When he brings his motion forward there will be a lively battle, I expect. Meanwhile we jog along quietly, taking the goods the gods provide us, whether they be the dust nuisance, inefficient water supply, or want of drainage. Visions of fearful looking sceptres, labelled “ bacillus tubercle,” “ typhus bacilli,” &c., rise now before the anxious paterfamilias, wheh he suddenly awakens in the middle of the night. At the S.M. Court yesterday, a settler named Herbert, sued another settler named Barley man for £1 4s, amount of expenses awarded by the District Court in counection with a recent case in which Herbert was a witness. The defence set up by Barleyman, was that as he had provided Herbert with a horse on which to ride into Hawera on the occasion in question, he was entitled to deduct a certain amount in consideration of the accomodation. Further, “ I would like the Court to say whether this man is a farmer, “ said Barleyman, “He milks cows “on shares,” and is only a laborer.” “ Ah, then,” said Mr Northcroft, “if that is the case, he is really a ‘ manager,’ being in charge of the cows, and, as such, is entitled to expenses up to 15s a day, while the usual amount allowed for farmers is 10s.” His Worship then gave judgment for the amount claimed, and costs, remarking that he would allow full costs, as it was a case of considerable interest to witnesses, as showing that they were entitled to the full amount of expenses allowed by Court. He had known of eases in which witnesses had accepted quarter of the amount really due to them, simply through ignorance of their rights. I understand a new paper is shortly to be established at Eltham. Still they come 1 Evidences of the near approach of Christmas are beginning to be seen about, in the various shops, the displays in some cases being really magnificent. Messrs Farrington and Goodson, who have been carrying on the business of auctioneers for some years past, have dissolved partnership, The business will, it is understood, be carried on by Mr Goodson. December 2. “ 0.K.”